It was like a weight holding us down, preventing us from moving. They called it the hottest place in Europe, I later learned after reading the papers. Ferrara, serving as the host city for an annual tradition dating back to 1279, brings a number of towns together for the Palio di Ferrara. In colored vestments and heavy armor, participants paraded down the main street. How could they survive in this heat when I can barely lift an arm for my Caffè Shakerato, I wondered, already perspiring. Thankfully, they managed, and we were presented with an amazing series of colorful visuals, flag dances and marching bands.

Reserved seats at the racetrack within Piazza Ariostea meant we had the perfect view of the games. First the boys and girls ran, then a bunch of donkeys. (Have you ever actually seen a donkey in person before? They’re huge!). Sadly, we missed the horse race as they had to tender the ground over and over for safety reasons. By then it was late and we had to head back to take our own ride out of town.

The Palio di Ferrara was an unforgettable experience. Despite the heat and the fact that my time at BlogVille (and in Italy) was winding down, I had a magical time.

If you like what you see, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. For videos of the race, scroll down to the bottom of this post!

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“Put your robe on the hanger,” the massaggiatrice said to me in Italian.

I was wearing board shorts and Calvin Klein briefs (in case you needed the image).

“Now take those off but sdfjl;aghnasmdfnsdfj.” I didn’t understand the last part, so I responded with my stock phrase of not being able to understand Italian sometimes.

“Okay. Your swimming clothes…” “Yes.”

“Are you wearing anything underneath?” “Underpants.”

“Okay. Take the shorts; leave the underwear.” “Understood.”

The important matter of how much clothes to take off demands further confirmation.

So began my first spa experience, a full-body oil massage in the Hotel delle Terme Santa Agnese in Bagno di Romagna, a popular spa town in Emilia-Romagna. The scent of steam and sulfur is apparent upon entering the city as thermal water flows naturally here. Bagno di Romagna consists of one main street and a large central piazza. Each of its many shops are charming and friendly, and the town features high-end, even Michelin-starred restaurants. The BlogVille team was lucky enough to dine at such a restaurant with the distinguished leaders of the Emilia-Romagna tourism board.

It was perhaps one of the most festive nights of the year in spa towns across Emilia-Romagna, La Notte Celeste, when all the spas in Bagno di Romagna open to the public and the town celebrates with live entertainment throughout its streets. Of all the local festivals I’d been to, this was the most fun. Families stayed out late as both young and old danced to festive music, a blend of Italian and classic 80s tunes.

It was also a complete honor to be invited on stage to say a quick “ciao” to the audience in the main square. It’s inspiring to see such a small town so welcoming to bloggers, something I feel is still misunderstood even in America. The festival also celebrated the importance of water with a team of little kids dressed as water droplets (cute) and a long film about water and space travel (strange but cool).

And while we were interviewed by an Italian film crew, I bit the bullet and responded in Italian, scratching off one from my bucket list of things I didn’t know I wanted to do.

I suppose my Italian isn’t entirely bad.

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The post La Notte Celeste in Bagno di Romagna – Oiled up and rubbed down in an Italian spa town first appeared on Keane Li.

I don’t want to be that guy.

Anyway, I’ve been reminiscing about all the great moments I had in Emilia-Romagna as a part of BlogVille. There are so many reasons to visit this beautiful region in Italy; here are my top five.

1. Food

A huge majority of Italy’s most delicious exports originate from Emilia-Romagna. There’s Modena’s balsamic vinegar, the great cheeses of Parma, prosciutto, lasagne, ravioli, tagliatelle al rag๠(oddio!), Sangiovese wine and the amazing piadina. Along the coast, fresh seafood is in abundance, often served as a mixed platter of fried goodness. In short, it’s impossible not to get a little grasso here.

That’s Italian for “fat.”

2. Fairy Tale Towns

It only takes a short train or bus ride to get from one idyllic town to the next. Many cities, like Pennabilli, Brisighella or Santarcangelo di Romagna offer panoramic views from their highest points. Others, like Verucchio, feature amazing castles that seem to come straight out of fairy tales.

3. Street Fairs

I was fortunate enough to experience three large town festivals during my two weeks in Emilia-Romagna: Pennabilli’s Artisti in Piazza, the Palio di Ferrara and La Notte Celeste in Bagno di Romagna. During the latter, we met the president of the tourism board of Emilia-Romagna, were interviewed by the Italian press (I responded in Italian, guys!) and were invited on stage in front of the entire town to say hello.

Needless to say, that was one of the greatest experiences of my trip; a huge honor.

4. Unbelievable Cultural Attractions

While pretty much all of Italy is a hotbed for culture, Emilia-Romagna offers its own unique offerings. It was in Savignano sul Rubicone where Caesar “crossed the Rubicon,” Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire before its decline, and the famous Gothic Line of World War II passed straight through Rimini where a great battle was fought between the Allied and Axis forces.

A favorite of mine was the Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna. The mosaics were simply breathtaking. Even compared to all the churches I saw in Rome, this one really stood out.

5. The Great Outdoors

I have to admit that nature and active life weren’t high on my list of things to do in Italy, however Emilia-Romagna really offers something for everybody, whether it’s hiking through the Apennines or biking down the official Ferrari race track. My favorite outdoor activity, however, was the grueling task of enjoying a Spritz on the warm Rimini beach.

La dolce vita davvero.

The post Five reasons to visit Emilia-Romagna first appeared on Keane Li.

Everyone loves a nice horse-drawn carriage ride, so it should be of no surprise that the BlogVille crew had such a great time at Foce Bevano, a natural reserve in the Parco Regionale del Delta del Po in Savio, Emilia-Romagna. The Centro Visite Cubo Magico Bevanella sits at the heart of the reserve, providing a multimedia, educational introduction to the wildlife residing here. From colorful birds to foxes, the protected area hides a variety of interesting creatures. The plant life and ecological offerings are equally as expansive. Services include bike and boat rentals, as well as the aforementioned horse-drawn carriage tour, providing a multitude of fun and affordable methods for exploring the grounds.

It’s a great attraction for those looking for nature and tranquility. My only advice is to cover up if you’re sensitive to mosquitoes (even still, they bit me through my shirt!) and to be sure to catch the beautiful sunset. The strong wind that Dante described in his literature still exists today, creating a sweeping effect of grass against the light.

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The name of the city derives from two formal rivals, those living in the castles at Penna and those at Billi. In the 16th century, they joined together to form the city now known as Pennabilli. Today, the city houses notable art installations by poet and intellectual Tonino Guerra, as well as attractions like meditation gardens and Tibetan bells donated from the Dalai Lama. More relevant to this post, Pennabilli hosts an annual three-day festival known as Artisti in Piazza – Festival Internazionale dell’Arte in Strada (“Artists in the Piazza – The International Festival of Street Art”), drawing innovative entertainers from around the world to their cobblestone streets.

If you should ever find yourself in Emilia-Romagna during the time of this festival, do yourself a favor and join in on the fun. It’s full of good people, great shows and really delicious food. Even without Artisti in Piazza, Pennabilli is a beautiful place to visit, as evidenced by the videos and photos below.

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The post Artisti in Piazza – Closing down the medieval village of Pennabilli for an annual street artist festival first appeared on Keane Li.

Photos of Rimini’s Centro Storico from sunset to night.

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Unlike eternal dictator Julius Caesar, I crossed the Rubicon in Savignano sul Rubicone after I had already invaded Rome. Today, a small bridge and accompanying statue marks the point where Caesar “tossed the dice” and ventured into Rome with his army. What once was a river is now a small stream surrounded by pretty houses and cobblestone streets.

The odd combination of bees and bikes set our itinerary in San Mauro Pascoli, where a visit to the bee farm and honey producer Miele Praconi coincided with the arrival of a large crew of motorcycle enthusiasts. The buzzing of bees was overpowered by the roar of Harley-Davidsons and other shimmering rides. Inside, the friendly staff treated us to samples of their sweet honey and a delicious local red wine called La Cagnoina by Fatteria Mula d’Oro.

The quest for tagliatelle al rag๠led us to Trattoria Renzi, where they specialize in the local dish. Indeed, it seemed to be the only thing anyone was ordering at the restaurant. With a meaty sauce slowly simmered into the freshly made tagliatelle, it was one of the most delicious pasta dishes I’ve ever had (the addition of lard, no doubt, helps). A trip into the kitchen explains why; the cooks are all vibrant Italian moms.

We continued to explore Santarcangelo di Romagna after the satisfying meal. As it was the Festa della Republica, most of the shops were closed; the residents most likely at the beach. It was empty. This made the walk through the (dare I say it) “picturesque” town almost surreal. The well-maintained buildings of bright colors and the large amount of flowers added to the romance of the city, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more “perfect” place.

The post Exploring Emilia-Romagna – Crossing the Rubicon, bees and bikes, and the perfect town first appeared on Keane Li.

Today I arrived in Rimini, a coastal town on the eastern coast of Italy, for BlogVille Rimini, a travel writers’ project hosted by the region of Emilia-Romagna. My first impression of the city brought back memories of my hometown of Hawaii mixed with the charm of the better half of Virginia Beach. It’s a peaceful place, especially given that I had just left both Rome and Naples. I met my fellow BlogVille writers, all of them lovely, and we enjoyed the afternoon sitting along the beachfront with conversation and drinks. At night, we hit up a great restaurant for piadine and wandered the city bathed in streetlight. The evening was concluded with a tasting of the largest gelato (yes, more gelato) serving I’ve ever had for just two euros. For a city with heavy Fellini presence, I can say this is definitely living la dolce vita.

But it’s just the beginning…

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